AI Creative Future Awards (AICA) 2026 Launches

The General Incorporated Association AICA (headquartered in Tokyo, CEO: Itsuro Teruya) announces the launch of the 'AI Creative Future Awards (AICA) 2026,' with the first call for entries opening on June 17, 2026.

Following AICA 2025, which conducted independent research on global AI creative cases and initiated discussions around the question 'What is creativity in the AI era?', AICA 2026 will expand its efforts by introducing an open call for submissions—accepting both self-nominations and third-party recommendations—for the first time.

AICA is not a conventional award focused solely on public submissions. Instead, it brings together cases discovered by dedicated researchers from around the world and works submitted through open entry, placing them side by side for in-depth deliberation by a diverse panel of experts to explore the nature of creativity symbolic of the AI era.

A defining feature of AICA is its 'discussion-based' judging process. Members from diverse fields—including advertising, art, music, film, gaming, and research—engage in deep discussions on questions such as 'How was AI used?' and 'Does this practice advance creativity?' At AICA, the outcome is not the only focus. The process of multidisciplinary experts discussing a single work from multiple perspectives is itself treated as an intellectual asset for understanding creativity in the AI era.

Entry Details

・Entry Opens:

June 17, 2026

・Submission Method:

Self-nomination or third-party recommendation

・Eligible Projects:

Creative projects utilizing AI

(Advertising, art, music, video, games, products, research projects, etc.)

・Official Website:

https://aica-awards.com

Selection Process

AICA begins by having dedicated researchers continuously explore and collect AI creative cases from around the world. The open call, launching this year, complements this research effort, aiming to encounter a broader range of creative practices. Cases discovered through research and works submitted through public entry are treated equally, with discussion members examining each project’s background and context in depth.

AICA does not aim to rank submissions by superiority. Instead, it serves as a platform to discover innovative practices happening globally and to reflect on their significance.

Evaluation emphasizes more than just technical novelty.

Key discussion points from last year’s evaluation included:

・How did humans and AI co-create?

・Did it generate new forms of expression or experience?

・Did it raise new questions for society or culture?

・Did it advance creativity in the AI era?

This year, AICA will build upon these themes while introducing new discussion points.

Discussion Members

・Chairperson

Kotaro Shimizu (Technical Director, BASSDRUM)

・Jury Members

Hisato Ogata (Design Engineer / Project Director, Takram)

Naoki Tokui (Artist / AI Researcher)

Asako Tomura (Producer, Art, Science and Society / Visiting Researcher, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo / Visiting Professor, Tokyo University of Technology)

Yoichiro Miyake (Specially Appointed Professor, Graduate School of Artificial Intelligence Science, Rikkyo University)

AKI INOMATA (Artist / Visiting Professor, Musashino Art University / Specially Appointed Associate Professor, Digital Hollywood University Graduate School)

The same lineup returns from last year.

At AICA, the discussion process—'Why was this work selected?'—is valued even more than the final results. There is no single correct answer to creativity in the AI era. Therefore, through ongoing dialogue among diverse experts from different perspectives, AICA aims to map the current state of AI and creativity for society.

Chairperson Kotaro Shimizu’s Comment

"AICA 2026, now incorporating open submissions, is truly exciting to be part of once again this year. I believe AICA will become the most interesting place in the most fascinating field. We invite you to showcase your work there."

Schedule

June 17, 2026

Entry period opens

September 13, 2026, 23:59

Entry deadline

October 2026

Judging begins

December 2026

Award Ceremony and Winner Announcements

February 2027

Publication of AI Creative White Paper 2026 (planned)

About AI Creative Future Awards (AICA)

The AI Creative Future Awards (AICA) is an award program exploring new possibilities in creativity during the AI era.

It evaluates projects across diverse genres—including advertising, art, music, video, and gaming—that use AI to generate innovative ideas and social impact.

Beyond mere recognition, AICA aims to accumulate and disseminate discussions and insights on creativity in the AI era to the broader society.

Official Website

https://aica-awards.com